Thigh Lift After Weight Loss Surgery

Serving Manhattan, New York City and Surrounding Areas.

Overcoming obesity is a tremendous accomplishment, which requires continued dedication and sacrifice. After losing a dramatic amount of weight, patients often find they have loose skin and stubborn fatty deposits persisting on their inner thighs. The residual skin can cause painful chafing and irritation, and can have great influence over how you look and feel when going about your normal daily activities. After losing the weight, it makes sense to consider what a medial (inner) thigh lift might accomplish for you.

The thigh lift procedure is usually one of two types. The first removes a crescent of skin in the upper inner thigh and hides the incision in the groin crease (area where the upper inner thigh meets the groin and buttocks). The second combines this crescent with a vertical extension, creating a “T” shaped incision, which can be extended as far as necessary to tighten up extra skin all around the thigh. Dissolvable sutures are used to close the incisions. Liposuction can be added to the procedure if necessary to eliminate residual fat and give the thighs and improved contour. The thigh lift procedure generally takes two to three hours to perform depending on the extent of the procedure.

NYC plastic surgeon Dr. Schwartz performs thigh lift surgery in either an outpatient or overnight setting. This depends on the extent of the surgery, and whether or not another procedure is combined with the thigh lift. General anesthesia is normally used.

After surgery, a compression garment must be worn for about two to three weeks, which helps to decrease the swelling and provides support. Most patients require a drain in each thigh to avoid fluid accumulation. The drains are usually removed in the office during the first week. Patients are required to minimize their normal activities significantly for the first week. At about the second week, most people are able to return to work. You will look noticeably better during the first week, however, results continue to improve over the next few months. The discomfort from this procedure is relatively mild compared to other procedures. Most patients report feeling “tightness and swelling” but not pain.

Similar to the arm lift, the main issue for consideration when having a thigh lift is the potential for a visible scar. Most weight loss patients do require the vertical inner thigh scar, which can be visible when wearing shorts, a skirt, or swimwear. What most patients realize however, is that they would gladly exchange the improved shape and contour for the possibility of an inner thigh scar, which fades with time.

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Dr. Mark H. Schwartz

Mark H. Schwartz, MD, FACS, is a board-certified plastic surgeon with over 20 years of experience making confidence-building, positive transformations in his patient’s lives. Recognized by Castle Connolly as one of the New York Metro Area’s top plastic surgeons, he looks forward to discussing your interest in plastic surgery and developing an individualized treatment plan.